It was totally my fault. A few days ago, our sweet, beloved dog Charlie went missing. It was me who let him out. Me, who got distracted by the million things moms get distracted with, me who just plain forgot about him.
With the chaos of a houseful of kids, it was hours before anyone realized he was gone. And then I saw it. Charlie’s collar, lying on the table, which I had foolishly taken off of him the night before.
I panicked almost immediately. We live in an area surrounded by dense woods, where packs of coyotes roam regularly. Not only did he have an hours long head start, if someone did find him, they would have no idea how to contact us.
My husband, kids, and myself took off in three different directions, by foot and by car. We combed the roads and trails, calling him, to no avail.
I texted a neighbor to be on the lookout for him, and within minutes, she had posted Charlie’s photo on a local Facebook page, alerting people he was missing.
I called my friend, who before I could even finish my sentence, said “We’re on our way.” She, her husband, and three kids descended upon our neighborhood in a matter of minutes.
Driving along a road, I saw two boys, classmates of my daughter, heading down their driveway on bicycles. I was about to ask if they had seen a roaming dog, when they saw me and said, “We just heard. We’re going out to look for Charlie.”
Word spread, and at one point, I ended up on the same road as my husband. I saw a young guy on a motorcycle pull up, speak with my husband, and speed off.
“Who was that?” I asked. “No idea,” he said. “But he’s looking for Charlie.”
I felt my eyes well up with tears. A few tears of worry perhaps, but mostly, at that moment, they were tears of pure gratitude.
I was overwhelmed with emotion that we are lucky enough to live in a community where people truly care, where neighbors help neighbors, where people are generous with the most valuable gift there is – the gift of their time.
And thanks to these wonderful people, Charlie was found before dark that day, tired from his big adventure, but none the worse for wear. How I wished that dogs could talk, I’m sure he’d love to tell us all about his brief life on the run.
A kind woman had seen my overly friendly boy wandering around her yard and seeing he had no collar, brought him into her home to keep him safe until she found where he belonged.
As I thanked everyone later that night, one of my neighbors said something that really struck a chord with me: “We will always rally for you.”
A simple, yet powerful statement. We should all have someone that will rally for us in a time of need. Sometimes, we are lucky enough to have many.
When we moved to the rural Pacific Northwest from suburban California a few years ago, we didn’t know a single soul. We left behind close family and longtime friends. I honestly didn’t know if I could ever call a place with no family around, “home”.
I remember fighting back tears in the school office the day I registered my kids, because I literally didn’t know anyone I could put down under “Emergency Contact”. I had never felt so far from home.
But I realized something the day Charlie went missing.
Home can be many things…it can be where you grew up, it can be where your family is. And sometimes, home is simply the place where people have your back. The place where people will rally for you. ❤️
Anonymous
Love this story. When you write your blogs, you have us going through the blog along with you.
Your stories hit home. You leave us happy. Keep blogging. 👍🏻👍🏻😀😀
Janene Dutt
Thanks so much for your kind words! Janene
Renee
Oh my gosh Janene, I can picture you all right now including Charlie;)) thanks for such a sweet story.
Miss you guys in the southern CA hood.
Janene Dutt
Hi Renee! Thanks…miss you guys too, it’s been too long!
Bunni
My hearts broken for what you were feeling when you realized your “wonderful Charlie” was gone. You are blessed to be surrounded so many lovely, caring people. They’re equally lucky they’ll have you in their time of need.
Janene Dutt
Thanks…we live in a special place, that’s for sure!
Deb Brusseau
That sense of community around you is priceless! Thank you for writing so beautifully about what that feels like. This is what O have in Texas.
Janene Dutt
Thanks, Deb! And glad you have that too. Hope you are all well!
Patricia Lahtinen
Beautifully said! I’m sorry I had no idea about Charlie’s disappearance until now!
Patricia Lahtinen
We’re glad he’s home safe and sound!
Janene Dutt
Thanks, Patricia!
Anonymous
You made me tear up again. Beautifully written. Love, Maxine Dutt
Maxine Dutt
You made me cry again. Beautifully written! Love you, Maxine Dutt
Janene Dutt
Thank you, Maxine! And I’m sorry I made you cry…hugs! 🙂 Janene
Mariaelena P Peransi
I’m so happy Charlie was found & is ok. You are so lucky to live in such a wonderful community where neighbors & even strangers have your back.
Janene Dutt
Thank you, Mariaelena!! And yes, we are very lucky.